Apparatus and methods for loading of an IOL injector

ABSTRACT

An IOL injector body including an injector body segment defining a portion of a lumen, and a first loading chamber component coupled to the injector body segments and a second loading chamber component hingedly coupled to the first loading chamber component. The second loading chamber component is capable of rotating about an axis that is parallel to the lumen. An IOL vial including a vial base and an injector guide rotatably mounted in said base, whereby an injector can be inserted along the injector guide and rotated such that a folded IOL can be obtained in the injector. A method of loading an IOL injector with an IOL the method that comprises inserting the IOL injector body into a vial and rotating the IOL injector body relative to the vial to obtain the IOL in the IOL injector body.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to intraocular lens (IOL) injectors, and more particularly to loading apparatus and methods for IOL injectors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

IOLs are artificial lenses used to replace natural crystalline lenses of eyes when the natural lenses are diseased or otherwise impaired. Under some circumstances a natural lens may remain in an eye together with an implanted IOL. IOLs may be placed in either the posterior chamber or anterior chamber of an eye.

IOLs come in a variety of configurations and materials. Various instruments and methods for implanting such IOLs in an eye are known. Typically, an incision is made in a patient's cornea and an IOL is inserted into the eye through the incision. In one technique, a surgeon uses surgical forceps having opposing blades to grasp the IOL and insert it through the incision into the eye. While this technique is still practiced today, more and more surgeons are using IOL injectors which offer advantages such as affording a surgeon more control when inserting an IOL into an eye and permitting insertion of IOLs through smaller incisions. Smaller incision sizes (e.g., less than about 3 mm) are preferred over larger incisions (e.g., about 3.2 to 5+mm) since smaller incisions have been attributed to reduced post-surgical healing time and reduced complications such as induced astigmatism.

In order for an IOL to fit through a smaller incision, it is typically folded and/or compressed prior to entering the eye where they will assume their original unfolded/uncompressed shape. Since IOLs are very small and delicate articles of manufacture, great care must be taken in their handling, both as they are loaded into an injector and as the lens is injected into a patient's eye.

It is important that an IOL be expelled from the tip of the IOL injector and into the eye in an undamaged condition and in a predictable orientation. Should an IOL be damaged or expelled from the injector in an incorrect orientation, a surgeon must remove or further manipulate the IOL in the eye, possibly resulting in trauma to the surrounding tissues of the eye. To achieve proper delivery of an IOL, consistent loading of the IOL into the injector device with a minimum opportunity for damaging the IOL is desirable.

Various IOL injectors and other devices have been proposed which attempt to address issues related to loading, yet there remains a need for an IOL injector which improves consistency of loading and reduces the likelihood of damage to an IOL.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the present invention are directed to an IOL injector comprising a loading chamber comprising a component that when being closed folds the lens. Additional aspects of the present invention are directed to a vial for maintaining an IOL prior to loading. The vial includes an injector guide that receives an injector such that when the injector is rotated a folded IOL can be obtained in the injector. In some embodiments, the injector and vial are provided in a combination. As defined here in “a combination” includes but is not limited to arrangements in which the objects in the combination are packaged and are not connected to one another.

Other aspects of the present invention are directed to an injector having an opening to a loading chamber, the opening being defined by a tapered edge. Additional aspects of the present invention are directed to an IOL vial comprising a convexly curved interior surface and a flexible arm adapted to maintain an IOL against a surface opposite the convexly curved interior surface. In some embodiments, the injector having tapered edge and the vial having a flexible arm are provided in a combination.

A first aspect of the invention is directed to an IOL injector, comprising an injector body having a loading chamber and defining a lumen extending along a longitudinal axis. An opening to the loading chamber being defined by a tapered edge, and the edge extends in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

In some embodiments, the tapered edge is aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis.

The tapered edge may extend along the entire length of the opening. In some embodiments, the tapered edge is sharp. The opening to the loading chamber may be further defined by a non-tapered edge, the non-tapered edge extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the opening to the loading chamber is further defined by a second edge, the second edge extending parallel to the direction of the longitudinal axis, and a cross section of the lumen perpendicular to the longitudinal axis at the loading chamber is substantially circular. In such embodiments, the radial distance from the center of the loading chamber to the tapered edge in the cross section may be greater than the radial distance from the center of the loading chamber to the second edge in the cross section.

In some embodiments, the injector further comprises a concave outer surface disposed substantially opposite the opening. The injector may be in a combination with a vial comprising a convex interior surface and a flexible arm adapted to maintain an IOL against a surface opposite the convex interior surface. In some embodiments, the concave exterior surface and the convex interior surface have substantially the same radius of curvature.

Another aspect of the invention is directed to an IOL vial comprising a convexly curved interior surface and a flexible arm adapted to maintain an IOL against a surface opposite the convexly curved surface. The vial may comprise a vial base wherein the flexible arm is hingedly attached to the vial base.

Yet another aspect of the invention is directed to a method of loading an IOL injector with an IOL, the method comprising inserting the IOL injector body into a vial that maintains and IOL; and rotating the IOL injector body relative to at least a portion of the vial to obtain the IOL in the IOL injector body.

In some embodiments, the IOL injector has a lumen with a longitudinal axis and the step of rotating comprises rotation about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis. The step of rotating the IOL may comprise rotating a first loading chamber component relative to a second loading chamber component. In some embodiments, the step of rotating the IOL comprises folding the IOL to obtain the IOL in a folded configuration in the IOL injector body. In some embodiments, the IOL is ready for injection after the step of rotating.

In some embodiments, the IOL injector has a lumen, and upon rotation, a first loading chamber component and a second loading chamber component combine to form a portion of the lumen. The portion of the lumen may be a rotationally complete portion of the lumen. In some embodiments, the first loading chamber component and the second loading chamber component become attached to one another after rotation. The step of inserting may comprise inserting the injector body along a guide. The step of inserting may result in detaching the lens from a lens holder.

The term “lens contact surface” is defined herein as a surface arranged to contact an IOL lens after the loading chamber is closed. An injector having an IOL that is “ready for delivery” is an injector that is in a condition such that actuation of its IOL ejection apparatus (e.g., a plunger) results in ejection of the IOL from the injector.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrative, non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference number is used to designate the same or similar components in different figures, and in which:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an injector according to aspects of the present invention having an open loading chamber;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a injector according to aspects of the present invention having a closed loading chamber;

FIG. 1C is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a injector according to aspects of the present invention having a tip attached;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a vial according to aspects of the present invention;

FIGS. 2B-C are side views of the exemplary embodiment of the vial illustrated in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a lens holder according to aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a side view of the exemplary embodiment of the lens holder illustrated in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of an injector as illustrated in FIG. 1A engaged with the exemplary embodiment of a vial as illustrated in FIG. 2A, in which a portion of the vial is broken away;

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate steps for loading an injector according to aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of an injector according to aspects of the present invention having an open loading chamber;

FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the second exemplary embodiment of the injector according to aspects of the present invention having a closed loading chamber;

FIG. 6C is a side view of the second exemplary embodiment illustrating a loading chamber opening;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the second exemplary embodiment of an injector as illustrated in FIG. 6A engaged with a second exemplary embodiment of a vial, in which a portion of the vial is broken away;

FIGS. 8A-8B illustrate steps for loading an injector according to aspects of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a flexible arm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an IOL injector 100 according to aspects of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 1A, IOL injector 100 has an open loading chamber and a detached tip 175. Injector 100 includes a lumen having a longitudinal axis Z. An injector body segment 110 defines a portion L′ of the lumen. As described below, another portion of the lumen is provided by the loading chamber 120 when it is closed.

A first loading chamber component 120 a is coupled to the injector body segment; and a second loading chamber component 120 b is hingedly coupled to the first loading chamber component such that the second loading chamber component is capable of rotating about a second axis Y that is parallel to longitudinal axis Z. In some embodiments, the second axis may be aligned with a wall of the injector body as illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C. However, coincidence is not necessary and the second axis may be offset from the wall of the lumen.

First loading chamber component 120 a may be coupled to injector body 100 segment 110 in any suitable manner. For example, the first loading chamber component may be rigidly connected to the injector body. In some embodiments, the first loading chamber component may be integrally formed (e.g., molded as a single part) with the injector body segment. Other suitable techniques of attachment include, but are not limited to snap fit or compression fit or by using a connector such as a screw or other threaded structure.

As illustrated in FIG. 1B, when second loading chamber component 120 b is rotated about second axis Y such that the loading chamber is closed, the first loading chamber component and the second loading chamber component combine to form a second portion L″ of the lumen. Preferably, the first loading chamber component and the second loading chamber component fixedly couple together when the loading chamber is closed such that they maintain a closed loading chamber after rotation of the second loading chamber component. For example, a molded snap fit structure may be provided on the first and second loading chamber components (i.e., they are configured to snap together). As illustrated in FIG. 1A, in some embodiments, the snap fit structure may comprise a projection 121 b on one of the bottom surface of first loading chamber component and the top surface of second loading chamber component, and a detent 121 a on the other of bottom surface 121 a and top surface 121 a.

Also as illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, second loading chamber component 120 b comprises a lens contact surface 122. It is to be appreciated that in the illustrated embodiment the second loading chamber component is configured and arranged to fold an IOL 150 (also referred to herein simply as a “lens”), using the lens contact surface, upon rotation of the second loading chamber component about second axis Y. As illustrated in FIG. 1B, in some embodiments, the first and second loading chamber components form a rotationally complete portion L″ of the lumen.

Upon rotation of the second loading chamber component, IOL 150 is located in loading chamber ready for delivery (i.e., the lens is located such that upon depressing of plunger 180, IOL 150 is expelled from the injector). Plunger 180 is aligned in the lumen such that tip 182 advances the lens after it has been obtained in the injector. The tip may be conventional fork shaped tip or a soft silicone tip as is known in the art. As illustrated in FIG. 1C, according some embodiments of the invention, upon rotation of the second loading chamber component, such that the loading chamber is closed, a tip 175 may be attached to an end of the injector body.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an IOL vial 200 according to aspects of the present invention. Vial 200, comprises a vial base 210, and an IOL holder mount including a first support 220 a and a second support 220 b disposed in the vial base. Vial 200 also includes an injector guide 230 that is configured to be rotatably mounted in the vial base. As discussed in greater detail below with reference to FIGS. 5A-5C, an IOL injector (e.g., injector 100 illustrated in FIG. 1A) can be inserted along injector guide 230 and rotated such that a folded IOL can be obtained in the injector. As illustrated in FIG. 2A, injector guide 230 may be coupled to a guide support 235 that maintains injector guide 230 relative to vial base and supports 220 a and 220 b. As discussed in greater detail below with reference to FIG. 5B, the guide support 235 extends below the bottom of guide 230.

It is to be appreciated that, in the illustrated embodiment, guide support 235 is cylindrical so as to conform to the shape of the vial base. The guide support may form a continuous cylinder or have a gap. Also, as illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 5A, guide support 235 is sized to fit between a sidewall 214 of the vial base and a fixed stop 212.

FIG. 2B illustrates holder mount 220 a of a vial base 210 in greater detail. Holder mount 220 a comprises a first prong 221 a and a second prong 221 b. FIG. 2C illustrates holder mount 220 b of vial base 210 in greater detail. Holder mount 220 b comprises a first prong 222 a and a second prong 222 b. In some embodiments, prong 222 b is slightly lower than prong 222 a. As described below, the space between prong 221 a and prong 221 b, and the space between prong 222 a and prong 222 b are selected so that holder mounts 220 a and 220 b slidably hold a lens holder as described in greater detail below.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a lens holder 300 suitable for use with the injector 100 and vial 200. An IOL 350 is disposed in a valley 310 between two ridges 315 a and 315 b. The width W of the valley is selected such that IOL 350 can be maintained between the ridges due to friction between the IOL haptics 352 a-352 d and the ridges 315 a and 315 b. Holder 300 has a thickness T at the ridges. As discussed below, IOL 350 may be removed from mount 300 by application a force F to a side of IOL 350 such that force F overcomes the friction holding IOL between the ridges. It is to be appreciated that any suitable IOL and IOL holder may be used with aspects of the present invention. For example, the IOL may have any suitable optic shape and may have any suitable number of haptics (e.g., one, two or three), and the IOL holder may have any suitable shape.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of injector body 110 as illustrated in FIG. 1A engaged with the exemplary embodiment of a vial 200 as illustrated in FIG. 2A. As discussed above, injector body 110 can be inserted along injector guide 230 (in the direction indicated by arrow 1) and rotated (in the direction of arrow 2) such that a folded IOL 350 can be obtained in the injector body.

It is to be appreciated that although in some applications it is advantageous to provide and/or use injector 100 with a vial 200, injector 100 may be used with any suitable structure capable of maintaining an IOL such that the second loading chamber component can be used to interact with the IOL in a manner such that the IOL is obtained in loading chamber.

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate an exemplary progression of steps for loading an injector body 110 with an IOL 350 according to aspects of the present invention. It is to be appreciated that only a portion of the injector body 110 proximate the loading chamber 120 is illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5C to avoid obfuscation.

As illustrated in FIG. 5A, IOL holder 300 is supported by IOL supports 220 a and 220 b of IOL holder support 220. A thickness T (see FIG. 3B) is sized relative to the distance between prongs 221 a and 221 b (see FIG. 2A), and the distance between prongs 222 a and 222 b (see FIG. 2B) so as to form a friction fit between prongs 221 a and 221 b of IOL support 220 a and to form a friction fit between prongs 221 b and 222 b of IOL support 220 b. Accordingly, lens holder 300 is slidably held by the supports 220 a and 220 b such that upon application of a force F′ to the lens holder, IOL holder 300 slides between pair of prongs 221 a, 222 a and pair or prongs 221 b, 222 b toward the bottom of the vial. It is to be appreciated that as IOL holder 300 slides between the prongs, IOL 350 is contacted by a projection 505 such that a force F, which is capable of overcoming the friction between haptics 352 a-352 d and holder 300 (as described above with reference to FIG. 3A), is applied to lens 350. Lens 350 can thereby be detached from the holder 300. Projection 505 may be attached to or separate of vial base 210. Vial base 210 may be provided with a holder (not shown), such as a hollow cylinder, disposed on its bottom to facilitate positioning of projection 505. Fixed stop 212 is included in FIG. 5A for clarity.

FIG. 5B illustrates IOL holder 300 after it has been displaced in the direction of arrow 1 (i.e., toward the bottom of vial 300) a sufficient distance such that IOL 350 is completely detached from IOL holder 300 and is located proximate loading chamber 120 (i.e., the lens is proximate first loading chamber component 120 a and second loading chamber 120 b).

It is to be appreciated that, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, injector body 110 is pushed into the vial base 210 a distance such that first loading chamber component 120 a is at least a small distance above holder mount 220 a and a small distance below injector guide 230, thus exposing the bottom of first loading chamber component 120 a. As discussed above, with reference to FIG. 2A, the guide support 235 extends below the bottom of injector guide 230. Accordingly, there is a separation between the bottom of guide 230 and the top of support 220 a such that the bottom of first loading chamber component 120 a is exposed during rotation.

Additionally, the top of second loading chamber component 120 b extends above holder mount 220 b, such that upon rotation of the injector (in the direction of arrow 2) as indicated in FIG. 5C, the bottom of first loading chamber component 120 a and the top of second loading chamber component 120 b contact one another and become attached to one another, for example using a snap fit as discussed above with reference to FIG. 1A. Accordingly, upon rotation of the injector body 110, the loading chamber is closed and a folded IOL 150 is achieved in injector 100. As discussed above with reference to FIG. 2C, second prong 222 b may be slightly lower than prong 222 a, thereby facilitating closure. In some embodiments, fixed stop 212 operates to prevent over rotation of the second loading chamber component relative to the first loading chamber component.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of an IOL injector 600 according to aspects of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 6A, the injector has an open loading chamber 620. Injector 600 comprises an injector body 610 defining a lumen extending along a longitudinal axis Z. The injector has an opening 624 to the loading chamber that is defined at least in part by a tapered edge 625 extending in the direction of longitudinal axis Z.

Tapered edge 625 is illustrated in the cross-sectional view of injector 600 in FIG. 8A. As illustrated in FIG. 8A, in some embodiments, the lumen has a substantially circular cross section. However, the lumen may be elliptical or oval. In some embodiments, having a substantially circular cross section, it is advantageous that tapered edge 625 be located further from a center K of the substantially circular lumen (i.e., a distance d₂ from K) than an opposing edge 626 of opening 624 (i.e., a distance d₂ from K) thereby facilitating loading a lens by scooping the lens into the loading chamber as described below. In some embodiments, regardless of the shape of the lumen, tapered edge 625 is located further from the middle of surface 622 than opposing edge 626. It is to be appreciated that tapered edge 625 may be sharp. It is also to be appreciated that to be sharp, an edge need not come to point at a microscopic level.

Referring to FIG. 6C, opening 624 is illustrated in a side view of injector 600. The length of tapered edge 625 can extend along the entire length L of opening 624 (e.g., the opening may be rectangular and the tapered edge may extend along a side of the rectangle) or the tapered edge can extend along only a portion of length L that is adequate to engage an IOL in the manner discussed below with reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B. It is also to be appreciated that tapered edge 625 can be aligned parallel to axis Z; however, tapered edge 625 may be disposed other than parallel so long as it extends at least some distance along the direction of axis Z. In some embodiments, only edge 625 is tapered and edge 626 is non-tapered.

Referring again to FIG. 6A, in some embodiments, injector 600 may have an exterior surface 622 that is configured to facilitate loading of a lens into the injector in a manner as discussed below with reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B. Injector tip 175 may be integrated with injector body 610 or may be attachable to the body using any suitable technique.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, a door 630 may be provided which can be closed to maintain a lens within the loading chamber of the injector 600. Although the illustrated door is configured and arranged to slide along injector body 610 into a closed position, the door may be disposed on a hinge or may simply snap into a closed position. Plunger 180 is aligned in the lumen such that tip 182 advances the lens after it has been obtained in the injector. The tip may be conventional fork shaped tip or a soft silicone tip as is known in the art.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the second exemplary embodiment of an injector as illustrated in FIG. 6A that is engaged with a second exemplary embodiment of an IOL vial 700. As discussed in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B, injector 600 can be inserted (in the direction indicated by arrow 1) into vial 700; and the injector body can be rotated relative to the vial (in the direction indicated by arrow 2) to obtain the IOL in the IOL injector body. In some embodiments, the injector is rotated about a curved interior surface 640 of the vial by contacting surface 640 with at least a portion of surface 622 of the injector.

FIGS. 8A-8B are cross-sectional views taken along line 8A-B of FIG. 6A that illustrate steps for loading an injector according to aspects of the present invention. As discussed above, injector 600 is inserted into vial 700. Vial 700 is provided with a flexible arm 635 adapted to maintain an IOL 350 against a surface of the vial. Injector 600 may be rotated relative to the vial to obtain the IOL in the IOL injector body.

In some embodiments, a portion of an interior surface of the vial is selected to conform to an exterior surface of the injector in a region proximate opening 624. For example, in some embodiments surface 622, which may be located on a substantially opposite side of injector 600 from opening 624, has concave curvature that substantially matches a convexly curved interior surface 640 of vial 700 (e.g., they have substantially the same radius of curvature and may share a center of curvature C). Accordingly, injector 600 can be rotated about center of curvature C (i.e., in the direction of arrow 2) in a stable and reliable manner. In some embodiments, surface 622 is convex and surface 640 is concave.

In some embodiments, the distance R from surface 622 to tapered edge 625 is substantially equal to the distance from vial surface 640 to vial surface 612 (e.g., over an angle θ), such that the inserter 600 remains contained between surfaces 640 and 612 upon rotation, thereby adding to the stability and reliability of the rotation of inserter 600. It is to be appreciated that flexible arm 635 maintains IOL 350 against a surface disposed opposite curved surface 640. Although flexible arm 635 is illustrated having a hook shaped cross section, any suitable shape may be employed. For example an arm having a simple straight shape that collapses upon the application of sheer force as would occur when the inserter is rotated about the curved surface 640 and thereby contacts a side of the flexible arm. Flexible arm 635 may be attached to the vial base at location 645 using a hinge or other suitable rotatable structure, or the flexibility of flexible arm may be selected such that the flexible arm folds or wraps around location 645 upon contact with the injector without the use of a hinge.

As illustrated in FIG. 8B, injector 600 may be rotated relative to the vial in the manner described above (i.e., with surface 622 of the inserter contacting surface 640 of the vial) to obtain the IOL in the IOL injector body. Upon rotation of the inserter about center of curvature C, tapered edge 625 engages lens 350 and in a shovel-like manner lifts the lens into the loading chamber. A stop 610 may be located to hold the lens in place as the lens is contacted by the tapered edge. It is to be appreciated that the curved shape of the interior of the loading chamber causes the lens to fold the IOL as the IOL encounters the interior surface of the lumen. As the lens is engaged by the tapered edge, a portion of the inserter 602 engages flexible arm 625 thereby moving the flexible arm out the way as illustrated in FIG. 8B.

It is to be appreciated that although in some application is advantageous to provide and/or use injector 600 with a vial 700, injector 600 may be used with any suitable structure capable of maintaining an IOL such that the tapered edge 625 can be used to interact with the IOL in a manner such that the IOL is obtained in loading chamber 620.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a flexible arm 635 illustrating further details of the flexible arm. The arm is configured to maintain lens 350 against a wall of the vial as discussed above, and flexible enough such that the movement about attachment 645 allow arm to be moved away from lens 350 during loading as discussed above with reference to FIG. 8B. The arm preferably has a shape such that contact with the lens is made over a substantial area to avoid damage to the lens. Preferably, the portion of the arm contacting the lens is smooth to facilitate movement away or sliding along the lens without causing damage.

Injectors and vials as described herein are preferably made from a biocompatible and sterilizable material. For example, the injector and/or vial (including the flexible arm) may be made of polypropylene or polyetherimide (e.g. Ultem™ available from General Electric Corp.). In some embodiments, it is advantageous if the material used for an injector and/or vial is transparent to facilitate viewing of the lens during loading.

Having thus described the inventive concepts and a number of exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention may be implemented in various ways, and that modifications and improvements will readily occur to such persons. Thus, the embodiments are not intended to be limiting and presented by way of example only. The invention is limited only as required by the following claims and equivalents thereto. 

1. An IOL injector, comprising: an injector body having a loading chamber and defining a lumen extending along a longitudinal axis, an opening to the loading chamber being defined by a tapered edge, the edge extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis.
 2. The IOL injector of claim 1, wherein the tapered edge is aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis.
 3. The IOL injector of claim 2, wherein the tapered edge extends along the entire length of the opening.
 4. The IOL injector of claim 1, wherein the tapered edge is sharp.
 5. The IOL injector of claim 1, further comprising a concave outer surface disposed substantially opposite the opening.
 6. The IOL injector of claim 1, wherein the opening to the loading chamber is further defined by a non-tapered edge, the non-tapered edge extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis.
 7. The IOL injector of claim 1, wherein the opening to the loading chamber is further defined by a second edge, the second edge extending parallel to the direction of the longitudinal axis, and wherein a cross section of the lumen perpendicular to the longitudinal axis at the loading chamber is substantially circular, and wherein the radial distance from the center of the loading chamber to the tapered edge in the cross section is greater than the radial distance from the center of the loading chamber to the second edge in the cross section.
 8. The IOL injector of claim 1, in a combination with a vial comprising a convex interior surface and a flexible arm adapted to maintain an IOL against a surface opposite the convex interior surface.
 9. The combination of claim 8, wherein the concave exterior surface and the convex interior surface have substantially the same radius of curvature.
 10. An IOL vial comprising a convexly curved interior surface and a flexible arm adapted to maintain an IOL against a surface opposite the convexly curved surface.
 11. The IOL vial of claim 10, further comprising a vial base, wherein the flexible arm is hingedly attached to the vial base.
 12. A method of loading an IOL injector with an IOL, the method comprising: inserting the IOL injector body into a vial that maintains and IOL; and rotating the IOL injector body relative to at least a portion of the vial to obtain the IOL in the IOL injector body.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the IOL injector has a lumen with a longitudinal axis and the step of rotating comprises rotation about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of rotating the IOL comprises rotating a first loading chamber component relative to a second loading chamber component.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of rotating the IOL comprises folding the IOL to obtain the IOL in a folded configuration in the IOL injector body.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the IOL is ready for injection after the step of rotating.
 17. The method of claim 12, wherein the IOL injector has a lumen, and wherein upon rotation a first loading chamber component and a second loading chamber component combine to form a portion of the lumen.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the portion of the lumen is a rotationally complete portion of the lumen.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the first loading chamber component and the second loading chamber component become attached to one another after rotation.
 20. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of inserting comprises inserting the injector body along a guide.
 21. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of inserting results in detaching the lens from a lens holder. 